Sen. Joe Pennacchio Earns Award For ‘Conservative’ Voting Record

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A state senator who represents four towns in Essex County has earned a prestigious nod from one of the oldest grassroots conservative organizations in the nation.

On Tuesday, Sen. Joe Pennacchio announced that he received an “Award for Conservative Achievement” from the American Conservative Union for his 2018 voting record.

Pennacchio, a Republican, represents the state’s 26th District, which includes North and West Caldwell, Verona and Fairfield.

According to the ACU, here’s how they chose the award winners:

“The ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the New Jersey Legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of New Jersey’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.”

See the full list of the 2018 bills and legislators in New Jersey.

Earlier this year, Pennacchio introduced “Mallory’s Law,” legislation that strengthens and standardizes New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws. “Mallory’s Law” is named in honor of Mallory Rose Grossman, a 12-year-old Rockaway student who committed suicide after being the victim of relentless bullying.

Pennacchio has also led an effort to create “a pathway to justice” for wrongfully convicted residents of the Garden State. His bipartisan legislation would create the “New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission,” which would review all aspects of criminal cases involving wrongful conviction in New Jersey and recommend reforms to reduce the likelihood of wrongful conviction occurring in the future.

• See related article: NJ Bill Would Help Keep Innocent People Out Of Jail, Senators Say

“I am honored to receive this recognition by the oldest grassroots conservative organization in the United States,” Pennacchio said. “I’ve always believed that overtaxed and vulnerable New Jerseyans deserve to have a fighting voice in Trenton. This award proves it is possible to be fiscally conservative and maintain a social conscience at the same time.”

• See related article: Sen. Pennacchio Blasts Murphy's Tax Break For Film Industry
• See related article: NJ Lawmaker Wants More Funding For Fusion Energy Research
• See related article: Media Not Covering These Crucial Issues, Essex County Republicans Say

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